Most people think of Mexico as being hot year-round. There are some regions where this is true, but there are also places in the country that get snow. Mexico City is cold between November and January, and though the mornings and evenings in particular can be quite chilly, heating systems are rare. Put another way, it’s the kind of cold that you can find a way to suffer through even without heaters.
Of course, chilly weather always makes people crave something warm to drink. Mexico is no exception, and people here start ordering more hot beverages at cafés and restaurants at this time of year. You can always find the usual coffee-based or alcoholic selections, but there are other drinks that are unique to Mexico.
Ponche is a traditional beverage that’s enjoyed during the Christmas season. It’s made by stewing fruit (usually apples or guava) with cane sugar, cinnamon, and other ingredients. The flavor is distinctive as it is both sweet and tart, with a hint of cinnamon. The addition of stewed fruit to the mix makes it particularly satisfying, and it really warms you up. Most people make ponche at home, but you can also get it made with slightly different recipes and ingredients at different restaurants or in different parts of Mexico. I hear that some people add a bit of tequila or other alcohol to it as well. We don’t make it from scratch at my house, but we can buy it at the store, so it’s readily available at home.




Ponche from Costco
A powdered version can be made just by adding hot water
One of the key ingredients, guava, is packed with nutrients and considered to be a superfood. It’s a great thing to drink in the winter months, since it has more than twice the vitamin C of lemon and can help prevent colds. Cinnamon is another highly nutritious ingredient that’s often called the “king of spices”. It’s often found in desserts, which makes calories a concern, but having it in a beverage makes it easier to take in. Like matcha in Japan, ponche is a beverage that has been around so long that it reflects the rich wisdom of the ages.

Mexico is known for chocolate, and there’s also a beverage called chocolate that is pronounced the same way as solid chocolate. Basically it’s a chocolate-flavored drink. I mentioned this in my earlier post on the chocolate museum, but chocolate originated in Mexico, where ancient people drank a form of it that wasn’t sweet like it is today.
The state of Oaxaca is known for chocolate, but most of the cafés and restaurants in Mexico City serve it as well. Some of them prepare it in front of you using traditional tools.


Making chocolate using a special container and frothing stick at a restaurant

Sweet, rich chocolate
Most chocolate is made with milk, but you sometimes see it made with hot water as well.
You can get this chocolate at the store and easily make it at home.


Abuelita (“granny”) brand is a classic favorite

You melt these chunks in warm milk and drink them.
They also sell powdered versions that are even easier to make.
They have real cacao flavor which can have a bit of a lingering powdery taste, but the simple sweetness is delicious. Chocolate is also supposed to be good for you, as they say it helps prevent cancer.
A sweet beverage on a cold winter day is the perfect thing to warm up your body and your heart.